WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Officials from Glacier National Park and the Glacier Association are pleased to announce that the logo designed by Cory Schearer and Chad Patterson has been selected as the new logo for Glacier National Park’s centennial, which occurs in 2010. Schearer and Patterson work for Erwin-Penland, an advertising and marketing communication agency in Greenville, South Carolina.

Schearer and Patterson incorporated many symbolic elements into their design. In describing their submission, they wrote, “Mountain goats are hidden in the mountainside, disguised as terrain. Glacier is a park with countless hidden wonders that demand to be explored and discovered.”

The pair also included Glacier’s National Historic Landmark the Going-to-the-Sun Road into the logo. “The Sun Road is an engineering marvel. We knew we had to incorporate it into the logo. It’s how visitors are engaged and inspired by Glacier. So, in the logo design, the road climbs and winds upward toward Logan Pass, just as it does in real life. In this sense, the logo symbolizes a visitor’s journey and experience through the park.”

The most difficult decision in designing the logo was choosing which of Glacier’s many peaks to feature. “In the end, we went with Mt. Reynolds,” said Schearer. “It dominates the skyline at Logan Pass where a visitor center is located, and it’s a classic glacial horn. If there’s a quintessential peak at Glacier, it’s Mt. Reynolds.”

Evergreen trees and beargrass are also used in the design. The color version of the logo features two blues- representing ice and glaciers. “The darker of the two blues is more of a turquoise, much like the waters of the park’s lakes.”

Schearer grew up in Montana. He spent many family summer vacations in the park. Though he now works in South Carolina, he regularly takes his own family to Glacier when they are in Montana.

“For me, this logo represents the element of Glacier that most engaged and inspired me as a kid,” noted Schearer. “The jammers (the park’s vintage red tour buses) are memorable, yes, but Glacier, in my mind, is Mother Nature at her best. That’s what I remember most, standing on the side of the road with my dad, looking out to the open and thinking…Wow.”

More than 100 logo entries were received, including a great number of outstanding ideas, which made the selection process very difficult. Officials wish to thank everyone who participated.

The centennial will be promoted and celebrated throughout the park and surrounding communities and the winning logo will be used for educational, promotional, and marketing pieces approved by Glacier National Park and the Centennial committee.